Coding Connections: How a Professor and His Student Built a Tech Talent Pipeline
When Geoff Baum ’10 joined Veoci, a tech startup based in New Haven, Connecticut, as one of its first employees, he had no idea he’d eventually help turn it into a hotspot for fellow St. Lawrence University graduates.
What started as a scrappy seven-person company has grown into a thriving operation of more than 100 employees around the country—and nearly half of its development team hails from St. Lawrence.
The connection started with a phone call. In 2016, Baum reached out to his former computer science professor, Ed Harcourt, looking for talented engineers to join Veoci’s team. Harcourt had just the person in mind: Ina Maloney ’17, a standout senior with a knack for problem-solving. Maloney “crushed her interview,” Baum says. “The fact that she handled it with such poise was a testament to her level of preparedness.”
Since recruiting Maloney, “We’ve hired at least one St. Lawrence graduate every year—except during COVID in 2020,” Baum says. “Ed and the computer science department haven’t let us down once. The students they send us are smart, adaptable, and ready to make an impact.”
In addition to Baum and Maloney, Laurentians currently working at Veoci include: Nevaan Perera '18, Corinna Pilcher '21, Kimberly Merchant '22, Cameron Kessler '23, Grace Cicchinelli '23, and Ayanda Mcanyana'24. (Ethaniel Cox ’19 went on to work at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority as a security engineer.)
Harcourt has been at the hub of this connection. His insider knowledge of industry needs and his personal ties to his students have created a pipeline to Veoci, a tech company that creates software to help organizations manage emergencies, streamline operations, and improve communication—all without the need for coding.
“When I visited Veoci’s office a few years ago, their CEO and CTO pulled me aside and said, ‘What are you doing? How are you giving us such good talent?’” Harcourt recalls. “It’s gratifying to see our students thrive in a company where they can grow and make meaningful contributions. The feedback we get from so many employers is that our students are as well prepared as any, even those from institutions with much larger, more well-known computer science departments.”
An Industry-Informed Approach to Teaching
Harcourt spent the early part of his career as a software engineer and amassed years of experience managing development teams across the globe. His successful placement of new graduates with Veoci and other tech firms exemplifies the strengths of a liberal arts education combined with technical expertise.
Baum and his Veoci colleague Perera have also offered their insights and guidance to current students interested in career opportunities in computer science and related fields, and Perera has participated in multiple programs organized by the Center for Career Excellence.
“Our students don’t just learn how to code; they develop critical thinking skills and intellectual flexibility,” he says. “I tell my students, ‘I don’t teach you anything you don’t need to know.’ I still actively code and know what skills employers expect. I don’t skip theory, intellectual curiosity, or critical thinking, but I make sure to integrate professional skills so they’re ready for the workplace.”
This approach has paid dividends, as Harcourt’s students not only find jobs but excel in environments that demand adaptability and technical acumen. At Veoci, Laurentians have a reputation for thriving in the company’s meritocratic and collaborative culture.
A Culture of Collaboration
Maloney says the “shared connection” of St. Lawrence has become a shorthand for Laurentians at Veoci. “Even though we weren’t all on campus at the same time, we can reminisce about our college days and the common experiences we had in the computer science department,” she says. “It makes it easy to connect and collaborate.”
The personal connections Harcourt builds with his students are part of a larger culture within St. Lawrence’s computer science department. Professors regularly host events, from ping-pong tournaments to pickleball games, creating a casual, social atmosphere where students and faculty form lasting bonds. Faculty and students can often be found socializing around the Peterson Quantitative Resource Center in Valentine Hall at the corner of two highly trafficked hallways outside of the Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics Department office.
“We try to keep things fun and relevant,” Harcourt says. “Whether it’s through our intro courses or one-on-one mentoring, we build relationships that go beyond the classroom.”
